The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) is likely to recommend the Government to raise the economic ceiling for OBC quota to Rs 4-5 lakh — almost double from the existing Rs 2.5 lakh, sources said.

Research Officer at NCBC S K Sinha said the commission is scheduled to submit its report in this regard to the Government on July 1.

Those above the ‘cut-off mark’ will be termed as “creamy layer” among OBCs and they cannot claim reservation in civil posts, services and professional courses. However, if the ceiling is fixed between Rs 4-5 lakh, then the child of parents earning Rs 45,000 a month would be eligible to avail the quota.

Though the NCBC failed to meet its June 30 deadline, sources said the commission could not submit it later when it was ready, as it could not get an appointment with the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment.

“A couple of appointments in the past were cancelled; July 1 has been fixed now. Hope this appointment is not called off,” said an official at NCBC.

Sources told The Indian Express that a majority of the states whose views were sought favoured to double the annual income ceiling for the OBC quota.

A member of NCBC, Ram Awadhesh Singh, in fact, said he wanted the ceiling to be much higher. “Personally, I feel that the ceiling should be nothing less than Rs 10 lakh. The commission, however, will take a unanimous decision on this,” Singh said.

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